Unprecedented US-India Cooperation Amidst Chinese Aggression: Insights from McMaster's Memoir

In his book 'At War With Ourselves,' former US National Security Adviser Lt Gen (retd) H R McMaster shares insights into US-India relations under the Trump administration. Highlighting discussions with Indian officials, he emphasizes Indian fears of entrapment and abandonment, and the significance of unprecedented cooperation due to Chinese aggression.

In his revealing new book, 'At War With Ourselves,' former US National Security Adviser Lt Gen (retd) H R McMaster offers a firsthand account of the intricacies behind US-India relations during the Trump administration. The narrative underscores the rising Chinese aggression as a pivotal factor pushing India towards unprecedented cooperation with the United States, though not without underlying fears of entrapment and abandonment.

McMaster recaps a critical dinner meeting with Indian counterpart Ajit K Doval, held only a day before his departure from office. Their dialogue covered pressing issues like the Afghan conflict and Chinese threats, reflecting deep-seated anxieties within the Indian leadership regarding America's commitment to South Asia.

During a significant visit to the subcontinent, McMaster met with key figures including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, affirming that both nations saw mutual benefits in strengthened ties. Modi's advocacy for an inclusive Indo-Pacific vision stood in stark contrast to China's 'One Belt One Road' initiative, emphasizing the shared strategic interests of the world's largest and oldest democracies.

(With inputs from agencies.)